Top Videogames

GAME BOY
Release Date: April 21, 1989
Developer: Nintendo
Display: 2.6-inch reflective LCD, monochrome 160 x 144 pixels
Processor: Sharp LR35902 (based on an 8-bit Z80) 4.19 MHz
Memory: 8 KB internal RAM; 8 KB VRAM
Sound: 4-channel mono sound
Power Supply: 4 AA batteries, up to 15 hours of gameplay
Dimensions: 90 mm x 148 mm x 32 mm
Weight: Approximately 220 g (without batteries)
The Game Boy, released by Nintendo in 1989, revolutionized the world of portable video games with its compact and durable design. Despite its monochrome screen, it won the hearts of millions of players around the world, thanks to a library of iconic games such as «Tetris,» «Pokémon,» and «The Legend of Zelda.» A standout feature of the Game Boy was its impressive battery life and the ability to connect multiple players via a link cable, features that helped cement its place as one of the most influential and beloved consoles in the history of video games.

GAME GEAR
Release Date: October 6, 1990
Developer: Sega
Display: 3.2-inch backlit LCD, color, 160 x 144 pixels
Processor: Zilog Z80 3.5 MHz
Memory: 8 KB internal RAM; 16 KB VRAM
Sound: 4-channel stereo sound
Power Supply: 6 AA batteries, up to 3-5 hours of gameplay
Dimensions: 210 mm x 113 mm x 38 mm
Weight: Approximately 320 g (without batteries)
The Game Gear, released by Sega in 1990, was designed as a response to Nintendo’s Game Boy and brought portable video gaming into the color screen era. With its vibrant 3.2-inch backlit LCD, the Game Gear offered a more visually engaging experience compared to its monochrome competitors. Despite its bulkier and heavier design, requiring more batteries and offering shorter playtime, the Game Gear became popular for its rich library of games including titles like «Sonic the Hedgehog,» «Shinobi,» and «Columns.» The ability to play games in color and the inclusion of built-in stereo sound were its major selling points, although these features also led to its higher power consumption. The Game Gear is remembered as Sega’s bold foray into the portable gaming market, showcasing their commitment to innovation and quality gaming experiences.

ATARI LYNX
Release Date: September 1989
Developer: Atari Corporation
Display: 3.5-inch backlit LCD, color, 160 x 102 pixels
Processor: 16-bit 65SC02 processor 4 MHz
Memory: 64 KB internal RAM
Sound: 4-channel sound, 8-bit digital audio
Power Supply: 6 AA batteries, up to 4-5 hours of gameplay
Dimensions: 275 mm x 108 mm x 44 mm
Weight: Approximately 500 g (without batteries)

The Atari Lynx, launched by Atari Corporation in 1989, introduced several innovative features to the portable gaming world. As the first handheld system with a color LCD, the Lynx offered an impressive graphical display that was ahead of its time, enhancing games with richer visual detail and vibrancy. However, its considerable size and weight, coupled with a high battery consumption that shortened play times, posed challenges in its market competitiveness. Nevertheless, the Lynx boasted a unique library of games, such as «Blue Lightning» and «California Games,» which leveraged its advanced hardware capabilities. The ability to link multiple units for cooperative or competitive play was another pioneering feature, underlining Atari’s pioneering spirit in the gaming industry. Despite stiff competition from Nintendo and Sega, the Lynx is fondly remembered for its ambitious technological strides and the unique gaming experiences it provided.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Release Date: July 15, 1983 (Japan), October 18, 1985 (North America)
Developer: Nintendo
Processor: Ricoh 2A03 8-bit processor (based on the MOS Technology 6502) running at 1.79 MHz
Memory: 2 KB internal RAM, 2 KB video RAM
Video Output: Supports a resolution of 256 x 240 pixels, capable of displaying 25 colors on screen from a palette of 52
Sound: 5-channel sound, including two pulse wave channels, one triangle wave channel, one noise channel, and one DPCM channel for sample playback
Game Media: Cartridge-based, varying from 8 KB to 1 MB
Dimensions: 100 mm x 255 mm x 203 mm (Model NES-001)
Weight: Approximately 1.1 kg

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), introduced by Nintendo in the early 1980s, revitalized the video game industry after the 1983 market crash. Its robust architecture and innovative game control methods, including the iconic directional pad, set new standards for gaming consoles. The NES’s library featured some of the most influential games of all time, such as «Super Mario Bros.,» «The Legend of Zelda,» and «Metroid,» which not only defined the platform but also entire genres. The console’s ability to deliver detailed graphics and complex gameplay mechanics compared to its contemporaries made it a staple in millions of homes globally. Its significant impact on popular culture and its role in establishing Nintendo as a leading brand in the video game industry make the NES one of the most revered gaming consoles in history.

Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Release Date: October 29, 1988 (Japan), August 14, 1989 (North America), November 30, 1990 (Europe)
Developer: Sega
Processor: Motorola 68000 16-bit processor running at 7.6 MHz
Memory: 64 KB of RAM, 64 KB of video RAM
Video Output: Supports a resolution of 320 x 224 pixels, capable of displaying up to 61 colors on screen from a palette of 512
Sound: Yamaha YM2612 FM synthesizer and a Texas Instruments SN76489 PSG; total of 10 channels
Game Media: Cartridge-based, up to 4 MB
Dimensions: 280 mm x 210 mm x 57 mm
Weight: Approximately 1.2 kg

The Sega Mega Drive, known as the Genesis in North America, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of video game consoles with its advanced 16-bit architecture. Launched by Sega to compete against Nintendo’s 8-bit NES, the Mega Drive/Genesis boasted superior graphics and sound capabilities, which were revolutionary at the time. Its extensive library included iconic titles such as «Sonic the Hedgehog,» «Streets of Rage,» and «Phantasy Star,» which helped to establish a loyal fan base. One of the console’s defining features was its emphasis on more mature content, which appealed to an older audience. The introduction of the Sega CD and the 32X expanded its capabilities further, though with mixed commercial success. The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis is celebrated for its role in intensifying the console wars of the 1990s and for its lasting impact on the gaming industry.